Well in a perfect world you d get out there with your roof rake every time you get any snow at all.
Should i rake my roof.
Roof rake boards are installed in different widths based on the surface being covered.
You don t have to get all the snow.
If the ice dams are already there try to remove as much snow as possible from the area of the roof behind the ice dam at least 4 6 feet.
If you do a little bit each day you won t have to worry about it accumulating.
Now add ice snow wind and maybe some sleet to the situation.
Never never use a roof rake or try to shovel snow off a slanted roof.
Just the excess that threatens the load bearing capacity of the roof.
When the circumstances dictate removing snow from your roof roof collapse or ice dams should you get up there and do it yourself or call for professional help.
You can buy a roof rake or make your own snow removal tool.
I ve always used 6 inches as the rule of thumb.
Roof rakes cost between 60 and 180 depending on the type you use.
Choose a roof rake with small rollers bumpers or wheels near the blade of the rake.
However you should make sure the ground isn t slippery and that you have the upper body strength to handle the rake and pull off the snow.
Typical roofs can withstand up to 20 lbs of snow per square foot.
Rake a little snow each day.
It s also difficult to use a roof rake to clear the snow out of your roof valleys because the rake is flat and the surface is angular.
A roof rake is not a rake as in what you d use in fall but rake refers to the pulling or raking process involved in pulling the snow off the roof versus a shovel which you push.
For the record a metal roof tends to shed water snow and ice better than a roof with asphalt shingles.
It will do no good will not cure ice dams is extremely hazardous and can harm asphalt shingles and in your case slate.
Snowstorms in the southeast are more unusual but tend to be wetter.
Heavy wet snow weighs up to 21 lbs per square foot whereas light fluffy snow can weigh just 3 lbs per square foot.
Also over raking like over brushing your teeth may actually do harm in that you ll rub many of the granules off your shingles.
That s not feasible for most people though.
It helps to leave the bottom most layer of snow on the roof as this protects the shingles from damage by the snow rake.
Here are some things for you to consider to help you.
The safest way to clean snow from your roof is with a snow rake a long pole with a flat piece of aluminum attached to the end.
By the time.
Working on your roof is hard enough in the best conditions.
Leave a few inches of snow on the roof and slide the rake over the snow.
